The EFL Cup quarter-final between Newcastle and Fulham will take place on December 17 at St James' Park. Newcastle – Fulham: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Newcastle
Eddie Howe's side will play at home in this competition for the third consecutive tie. In the two previous rounds the club progressed comfortably: they beat Bradford City 4-1 and then overcame Tottenham 2-0. The team's winning run in this tournament currently stands at eight matches. It is worth recalling that Newcastle are the current holders of the EFL Cup, having defeated Liverpool 2-1 in last season's final.
- The club's unbeaten run in this competition is 12 matches – 10 wins and 2 draws.
- Exactly two or three goals were scored in 8 of Newcastle's previous 11 EFL Cup games.
- The club has scored at least two goals in their last 7 matches in this tournament.
Predicted Newcastle line-up (4-3-3)*
Aaron Ramsdale – Fabian Schär, Malyk Thiaw, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth – Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock, Jacob Ramsey – Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Harvey Barnes.
Forward William Osula and defenders Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Emil Krafth will miss the game through injury.
Fulham
The Londoners have already played three matches in the current EFL Cup campaign. They have enjoyed a favourable draw so far, avoiding Premier League opposition in the early rounds. Fulham recorded two clean-sheet wins at home in the first two rounds, while in the last tie they travelled to Wycombe and needed a penalty shootout to advance after a 1-1 draw (pen. 5-4). Last year the team were eliminated in the third round by Preston. It is also worth noting that 2024 was Fulham's most successful year in the competition, when they reached the semi-finals before losing to Liverpool over two legs.
- The club's unbeaten run in this competition is 6 matches – 3 wins and 3 draws.
- No more than two goals were scored in six of Fulham's previous EFL Cup matches.
- Both teams scored in 8 of the Londoners' last 11 games in this tournament.
Predicted Fulham line-up (4-3-3)*
Benjamin Lecomte – Issa Diop, Kelvin Bassey, Timothy Castagne, Jorge Cuenca – Harrison Reed, Joshua King, Tom Cairney – Adama Traoré, Kevin, Raúl Jiménez.
Midfielder Ryan Sessegnon and forward Rodrigo Muniz will miss the game through injury.
Referee
Darren England (England)
Matches – 11 (Premier League and EFL Cup, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 37;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 27%.
Newcastle vs Fulham: Match Prediction
I expect Newcastle's winning run in this competition to extend to nine matches. The team clearly relish winning in the EFL Cup, and having secured a trophy last season they look determined to reach the final again. The schedule in this tournament has been favourable so far. With Premier League ambitions likely limited this season, the club may aim to make an impact not only in the Champions League but also in the EFL Cup.
Fulham have no significant recent pedigree in this competition and often exit when drawn against stronger Premier League opposition. The Londoners have also struggled in the league and on the road — in their last nine away matches at official level they have managed just two wins (2 draws and 5 defeats). By contrast, Newcastle have won seven and drawn one of their last eight home games across the Premier League, EFL Cup and Champions League, scoring at least two goals in each of those home fixtures.
My prediction – Newcastle to win
* For each team the starting XI shown corresponds to their previous match in this competition.
